Dispensing assemblies for containers



y 14, 1954 J. J. FRANK 3,140,804

DISPENSING ASSEMBLIES FOR CONTAINERS Filed April 7, 1961 2a, 6 r R a 2 u 26 0 24 ""28 1: .L JL

INVENTOR JOHN J FRANK United States Patent 3,140,804 DISPENSING ASSEMBLIES FOR CONTAINERS John J. Franlt, Cincinnati, Ghio, assignor to The Frank Tea and Spice Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 101,413 2 Claims. (Cl. 222-480) The present invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly to closures for containers from which the contents are to be selectively dispensed.

Various types of closures have heretofore been suggested for containers, and many of the prior suggestions have been directed to dispensing-type closures. The most satisfactory form of dispensing-type closure incorporates an assembly comprising a stationary element, and an adjustable element cooperating with the stationary element and adapted to alternately close the container outlet, fully open the container outlet, and partially open the container outlet whereby the container can be used as a shaker. While some of the expedients heretofore utilized to achieve this operation have proved satisfactory, manufacturers have continuously been in search of improved forms of dispensing closure assemblies which are inexpensively manufactured, which are trouble-free in operation, which provide some positive pouring guide when it is desired to dispense contents from a container in bulk form, and in addition, which insure against leakage of contents from the adjustable opening assembly.

Accordingly, the present invention has as its primary objects the provision of (a) an improved form of dispensing container closure assembly which is easily fabricated and adapted to alternately positively seal the container, fully open the container, and partially open the container, and (b) an improved method of fabricating such an assembly.

A still further primary object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing container closure assembly conforming with the preceding objects, and in addition incorporating cooperating means on the container and the adjustable closing element of the assembly for insuring against leakage of contents from the container when closed.

Yet, other, still further, and more specific objects of the present invention are: (a) to provide a dispensing container top assembly conforming with the preceding ob jects, and comprising a wall member and an adjustable closure element rotatable with respect to the wall member; ([2) to provide such an assembly wherein the container Wall member is provided with a recess therein adapted to receive a depending ring flange on the closure element; (c) to provide such a dispensing container top wherein the adjustable closure element comprises a molded plastic disc; (d) to provide such a dispensing container top wherein the adjustable disc member component thereof is coupled with the wall member component thereof by means of a heat deformable pin which can be passed through an aperture in the wall member component, and then formed under heat to provide a head positively securing the disc member rotatably on the wall member component; and (e) to provide such a container top assembly which is trouble-free in operation, inexpensive in manufacture, and readily adapted for use on various types of containers.

The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those specifically set forth above, will become apparent after consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. The description refers to the preferred and illustrative embodiments of the invention presented in the annexed drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a container top constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the central portion of a container wall closure constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, and presents the details of construction of the assembly provided by the present invention as they would appear when the disc member of the assembly is positioned to dispense contents of the container in bulk;

FIGURE 4 is a side cross-sectional view takemalong the same section line as FIGURE 3, but FIGURE 4 presents the relative disposition of the assembly components when the disc member thereof is positioned to partially open the container outlet whereby the container can be used as a shaker; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmental detailed cross-sectional view of the disc member and cooperating wall member of the assembly shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4, FIGURE 5 presenting the detailed construction of the cooperating depending flange and recess provided on the disc member and wall member respectively to insure against contents leakage.

In the drawings, the dispensing container top is generally designated by the numeral 2. This top comprises a container wall closure generally designated by the numeral 4 and a disc member generally designated by the numeral 6.

The container wall closure 4 is formed as an elongated cap having a peripheral folded-over skirt 8 adapted to engage a suitable upwardly projecting mouth rim on the container 10, and also having a peripheral wall 7 adapted to frictionally engage the container mouth opening. However, the manner in which the skirt 8 cooperates with a flange on the container 10, or the manner in which the wall closure 4 cooperates with the container 10, forms no part of the present invention, and it will be understood that the invention may be applied to any form of container Wall closure, whether specifically of the type shown, or of other well-known type.

The disc member 6 serves as a dispensing disc adapted to selectively cooperate with an outlet opening 12 provided in the wall closure 4. The disc member has a coarse outlet 14 thereon, and carries an upwardly projecting cylindrical spout 16 having a uniform bore therein which defines the coarse outlet opening 14. The disc 6, in addition, has a fine outlet opening generally designated by the numeral 18, and the fine outlet opening comprises a group of closely spaced apertures 20.

The fine outlet opening 18 is arcuately spaced from the coarse outlet opening 14. Preferably the mean distance of the coarse outlet opening 14 from the center of the disc 6 is equal to the mean distance of the fine outlet opening 18 from the center of the disc 6.

Means are provided for rotatably supporting the disc member on the closure 4 whereby the closure outlet opening and fine outlet opening are selectively movable into registry with the outlet in the container wall closure, and thus, whereby the disc cover member 6 is adapted to selectively allow for alternately closing, fully opening, and partially opening the outlet. The means rotatably supporting the disc member preferably comprises a pin 24 adapted to pass through an aperture 26 provided in the closure 4. In accordance with the method of the invention, the pin 24 is first passed through the aperture 26 as an elongated shaft as shown in phantom in FIGURES 3 and 4. However, after the pin has been passed through the aperture, the invention provides for applying heat thereto so as to form the head 28 thereon. The aperture or opening 26 preferably has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the pin 24 so that when the components are secured in place there is no play between the components during rotation.

To achieve fabrication as aforesaid, the invention pro- 9 e e a vides for forming the disc member 6 as a component molded from a suitable thermo-plastic material such as, for example, polyethylene. This material, aside from allowing for heat deformation to provide the head 28, reduces friction between the disc member and the top of the container closure which is preferably formed of a suitable plated metal.

In order to eliminate leakage of contents when the container is closed, the disc member 6 is provided with a downwardly projecting ring flange 30, and the wall closure 4 is provided with a ring depression or groove 31. The ring flange fits within the groove, and these cooperating expedients, in addition to preventing undesired leakage, serve to cause guiding of the disc member 6 during rotation thereof. The underside 6' of the disc member 6 fits snugly against the top wall 4 of the closure 4, but rotation is still permitted therebetween.

The ring flange 30 is disposed inwardly of the periphery 'of the disc member, and encircles the coarse and fine outlet openings.

As suggested, the disc member 6 is preferably formed as a molded component. In accordance with the prefer- 'red embodi ents of the invention, an upwardly projecting flange handle 32 is molded integral with the disc proper. The handle 32 extends laterally of the spout 16 and diametrically of the disc, and allows for rotating of the disc member 6 about the pivot formed by the pin 24 whereby the coarse opening 14 can be moved into registry with the opening 12 in the container closure, or the fine outlet opening 18 can be moved into registry with the container outlet 12. Of course, if neither the opening 14- nor the opening 16 is in registry with the opening 12, then the container is effectively sealed.

By making the underside of the disc fit snugly against the top of the closure 4, most leakage of contents is prevented when the disc is moved to closed position. However, should any contents leak between the disc 6 and closure 4, then the same cannot escape because of the depending ring flange and cooperating groove construction provided. The flange and groove serve effectively as a means for sealing the disc 6 to closure 4 adjacent the periphery of the disc.

Although the spout 16 and opening 14 may be arcuately spaced any desired extent from the series of apertures 20 forming the opening 18, the preferred embodiment of the invention provides for having t e opening 14 and spout 16 surrounding the same arcuately spaced from the apertures 20 by less than 180. In this manner, the handle flange 32 can be located diametrically of the disc member 6. With diametric disposition of the handle flange 32, uniform pressures are applied about the pivot pin 24 and extended trouble-free operation is achieved.

After reading the following detailed description of the illustrative and preferred embodiments of the invention presented in the annexed drawings, it should be apparent that the objects set forth at the outset of the specification have been successfully achieved. Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. A dispensing assembly comprising, in combination:

(a) a dispensing container having an end closure wall With at least a portion thereof being substantially planar;

(b) a disc member having a substantially planar undersurface adapted to be juxtaposed to said planar closure wall portion; and,

(0) means for rotatably mounting said disc on said end closure with said disc undersurface being in continuous intimate contact with the outer surface of said planar closure wall portion;

(d) said means including an aperture in said planar closure wall portion and a coupling pin integral with said disc member and depending from its undersurface and through said aperture;

(e) said coupling pin having an enlarged portion at its end which contacts the inner surface of said planar closure wall portion to maintain said disc member in intimate juxtaposition thereto;

(1) said disc member having an upstanding spout radially spaced from its periphery and a uniform bore extending through said spout and providing a coarse opening in said disc member;

(g) said end closure wall having a dispensing outlet therein adapted to be aligned beneath said disc member spout to thereby permit any contents of said container to be dispensed;

(h) said disc member also having a fine opening therein formed by a group of closely arranged fine apertures spaced radially from said disc periphery substantially the same distance as said spout and thus adapted to be rotated into alignment with said dispensing outlet;

(1) said disc member having an upstanding handle integrally projecting from its upper surface and digitally engageable to rotate said disc member to fully close said dispensing outlet or to bring said coarse or fine opening into alignment therewith to facilitate dispensing of the contents of said container.

2. A dispensing assembly comprising the combination defined in claim 1 wherein said disc member is formed of plastic and said closure wall is formed of metal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 130,445 Sears Aug. 13, 1872 1,814,703 Johnson July 14, 1931 2,199,620 Davis May 7, 1940 2,365,110 Rogers Dec. 12, 1944 2,589,416 Meshberg Mar. 18, 1952 2,961,132 Ankney Nov. 22, 1960 2,961,133 Ankney Nov. 22, 1960 2,971,681 Galbierz Feb. 14, 1961 3,104,039 Dike Sept. 17, 1963 

1. A DISPENSING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A DISPENSING CONTAINER HAVING AN END CLOSURE WALL WITH AT LEAST A PORTION THEREOF BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR; (B) A DISC MEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR UNDERSURFACE ADAPTED TO BE JUXTAPOSED TO SAID PLANAR CLOSURE WALL PORTION; AND, (C) MEANS FOR ROTATABLY MOUNTING SAID DISC ON SAID END CLOSURE WITH SAID DISC UNDERSURFACE BEING IN CONTINUOUS INTIMATE CONTACT WITH THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID PLANAR CLOSURE WALL PORTION; (D) SAID MEANS INCLUDING AN APERTURE IN SAID PLANAR CLOSURE WALL PORTION AND A COUPLING PIN INTEGRAL WITH SAID DISC MEMBER AND DEPENDING FROM ITS UNDERSURFACE AND THROUGH SAID APERTURE; (E) SAID COUPLING PIN HAVING AN ENLARGED PORTION AT ITS END WHICH CONTACTS THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID PLANAR CLOSURE WALL PORTION TO MAINTAIN SAID DISC MEMBER IN INTIMATE JUXTAPOSITION THERETO; (F) SAID DISC MEMBER HAVING AN UPSTANDING SPOUT RADIALLY SPACED FROM ITS PERIPHERY AND A UNIFORM BORE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SPOUT AND PROVIDING A COARSE OPENING IN SAID DISC MEMBER; (G) SAID END CLOSURE WALL HAVING A DISPENSING OUTLET THEREIN ADAPTED TO BE ALIGNED BENEATH SAID DISC MEMBER SPOUT TO THEREBY PERMIT ANY CONTENTS OF SAID CONTAINER TO BE DISPENSED; (H) SAID DISC MEMBER ALSO HAVING A FINE OPENING THEREIN FORMED BY A GROUP OF CLOSELY ARRANGED FINE APERTURES SPACED RADIALLY FROM SAID DISC PERIPHERY SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME DISTANCE AS SAID SPOUT AND THUS ADAPTED TO BE ROTATED INTO ALIGNMENT WITH SAID DISPENSING OUTLET; (I) SAID DISC MEMBER HAVING AN UPSTANDING HANDLE INTEGRALLY PROJECTING FROM ITS UPPER SURFACE AND DIGITALLY ENGAGEABLE TO ROTATE SAID DISC MEMBER TO FULLY CLOSE SAID DISPENSING OUTLET OR TO BRING SAID COARSE OR FINE OPENING INTO ALIGNMENT THEREWITH TO FACILITATE DISPENSING OF THE CONTENTS OF SAID CONTAINER. 